* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Zahar Coretchii from Moldova was a participant on our Writing and Reporting News course in London, March 2011. He writes for the newspaper Moldavskie Vedomosti. Here is what he has to say about the course and journalism in his country:
How did you become a journalist?
I just followed my parents' footsteps, because at the age of 19 when I finished school I didn't know what to do with my life at all. After a few years of study and internships, the job became more and more attractive. Now I feel bored after a week on holiday!
What was your favourite part of the course?
I liked the interaction with my coursemates and tutors the most. The tutors - Lisa Essex and Paul Casciato - were very internationally oriented, both from a professional and a social point of view. They were the ones that minimized the culture shock for us.
How did the course change your approach to journalism?
The course disciplined me. It reminded me of the responsibility I carry as a journalist and that there's no excuse for laziness.
What story would you most like to write in the near future?
I would like to continue writing about human rights, especially when Moldova is such "fertile soil", as we say in Russian, for discrimination.
What is the biggest challenge journalists face in your country?
It's very hard to get information. Investigative journalism is dying out in my country, because companies and government authorities are extremely protective. Officials are afraid of speaking out for some reason and the press offices are usually useless.
And, of course, we're underpaid: an average journalist in a daily newspaper earns about 200-250 Euro per month.
What are five words you would use to describe your country?
Angry, Confused and Empty. But with respect to Tradition and still so Young :)
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